3 Best Solar Companies in Bristol, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Bristol based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Bristol, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Bristol homeowner saves $1,052/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Bristol
If you’re a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Bristol, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is typically a good idea. Since Bristol is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're considering installing solar panels.
To help you navigate through the huge number of Bristol solar installers, we’ve narrowed in on a list of the top ones.We advise shopping around to get several quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get free, no-pressure quotes from the top solar panel companies in Bristol, click the link below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Bristol
Future Smart
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Permit Assistance- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Ecological Energy Systems
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Collaborative Solar, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Bristol
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Bristol based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Bristol
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Virginia solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Bristol
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your system.Some significant things that impact the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- How much power your household needs: If your household needs to use a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on power bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the angle of your roof and your energy consumption.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by switching to solar power, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Bristol, VA.
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Solar Incentives in Bristol
If you’re thinking about switching to solar power, a number of government incentives and tax credits can dramatically lower the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment.In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local benefits, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Bristol.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Bristol
Replacing nonrenewable energy with solar power is a powerful way to do your part for a greener future.Something many might have in mind is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? Regardless of your location, you can help protect the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume a lot of energy will have an even greater impact.Because solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 pounds each year. Since solar energy is abundant and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Bristol, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Bristol, Future Smart is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, entirely cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 19.1 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
When should I install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most popular time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's not as much demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.